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Israeli President Asks Netanyahu to Form Next Government

Feb. 2, 2013 3:14pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Formally Asked to Form New Government After Election Victory

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s president asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to form the next government, and Netanyahu pledged that his new administration will be committed to advancing peace talks with the Palestinians.

Israeli President Shimon Peres formally requested Netanyahu to build a governing coalition, after conducting consultations with all 12 parties that won seats in last week’s election. A majority of newly elected lawmakers recommended Netanyahu as prime minister-designate.

Netanyahu now has six weeks to form a coalition government, with an extension of 14 days if needed. If he succeeds, he will begin his third term as Israeli premier.

At a televised news conference, Netanyahu said the government’s top priority should be to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon. He also said the government should “deal with another deadly weapon being stockpiled near us and threatening our cities and civilians,” a thinly veiled reference to weapons caches in Syria. An attack on a weapons convoy in Syria this week has been widely attributed to Israel, though Israel has not commented on the matter.

Netanyahu also said his next government would be “committed to peace.”

“I call on Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) to come back to the peace table,” Netanyahu said. “It’s a shame, with every day that passes without us talking and trying to find a solution for peace for our two nations.”

Netanyahu also vowed to push for more universal military service that would put an end to longstanding draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, lower housing prices and revamp the Israeli system of governance. Those were three high-priority issues for the new centrist party Yesh Atid, which emerged as the second largest party in the January elections after Netanyahu’s Likud party.

Party leader Yair Lapid, a former television anchorman, campaigned on middle-class issues like the high cost of living, and also criticized Netanyahu’s outgoing government for including too many ministers.

Netanyahu said he wants a broad governing coalition that will bring stability to the government and allow it to confront these challenges.

“At a time when there are so many forces trying to splinter Israel, we have to unite,” Netanyahu said.

It will be difficult for Netanyahu to form a wide coalition. Lapid’s new centrist party is expected to be Netanyahu’s main coalition partner, but to ensure a parliamentary majority, the two will need at least one more mid-sized partner.

The most likely candidates are two parties that stand staunchly against Lapid’s demands for compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews and advancing peace talks with the Palestinians.

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party is likely to resist any change to Israel’s draft law, and the pro-settlements Jewish Home party will likely resist attempts to restart talks with the current Palestinian leadership.

Lapid has said he will not sit in a government that does not restart moribund peace talks with the Palestinians, but the issue could get sidelined since the largest parties share more common ground on domestic matters like the army draft.

Israel’s new members of parliament are scheduled to be sworn in next week.

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Comments (33)

PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:22pm
There is only ONE in charge and He’s setting the stage for the final chapter of man in charge. We’ve failed miserably! Just make sure your on the RIGHT side of the next WAR, because I already know who’s going to win.

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forgetyou
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 4:05pm
The Israeli’s win wars we get involved in them and lose them. We let others dictate to us Israel doesn’t. Our leader is a liar and coward and theirs isn’t. Their leader is smart and loves’ his country ours isn’t and doesn’t.

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:56pm
Trolls all want the blessed little Israel dead. Bullys & cowardly try to look tough. You forget 1 thing. History you idiots. You always lose. You choose Poorly.

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- waspanglosaxon
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 2:47pm
  Ending the existence of Israel is the ONLY way there will ever be a lasting peace in the Middle East.
  
  Report this comment
AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:48pm
Bout time for the jerk to say his same 3 comments..over..and over..and over.. and over. He is beyond hope, lost in insanity. Just like his boss 0.

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 12:43pm
A real leader. A real man. Honest. Honorable. Barrrrrack No Wonder You Hate Him. He is Everything you are not. And he has God on his side. Barry Has Nothing, his friends don’t even trust him. America is without a leader. A hollow international liar, satan & media made.

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marssnw
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:19pm
I wish Bibi was our president. Thats a true leader, unlike our gay muslim dictator in charge.

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- AUsername
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:53pm
  yeah we all want 3000 dollar a month rents like they got in new york in the subarb and houses to be 1 million dollars o yeah hes such a great leader *facepalm*
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:03pm
  I see the Anti-Israel / anti-U.S. Trolls are working the presses tonight ! A bunch of them lose …
  
  Report this comment
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:31pm
  I think Israel should stop all this talk and prepare for the worst. Obama has made sure that Israel has no more allies.Not even the U.S. http://weaselzippers.us/2013/02/02/turkey-urges-syria-to-attack-israel-in-retaliation-for-iaf-airstrikes/
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:35pm
  CIVILWARCOMETH, I’m with you on that.
  
  Report this comment
- waspanglosaxon
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:47pm
  What makes you think Bibi isn’t already the president of ZOG?
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 8:18pm
  Who cares what a belligerent says bout his belligerent nation? We’re a world power. They’re a two-bit nation. Should hardly ever be mentioned in our news. The fact that they are always in our news speaks volumes at just how much power that small minority has over us and our policy.
  
  Be loyal to America.
  
  Report this comment
- tzion
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 8:46pm
  @auser
  Did you ever think that that’s the reason Labor lost power. Labor is the equivalent to the liberals in our own government yet you’re blaming the right wing of Israeli politics.
  
  Report this comment
- db321
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 10:32pm
  Civil War – Obama has made sure that Israel has no more allies.Not even the U.S.
  
  True, but you are forgetting one Allie. This Allie does not take his orders from the man child wanna be Messiah Obama. He is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, He watches over Israel and nether slumbers not sleeps. According to the Scriptures, when the dust settles Jerusalem will still be standing. I would say that Israel has an almighty powerful Allie!
  
  This Allie promises to do unto you what you do to Israel. This means that if you vote for a President that turns his back on Israel, then don’t be surprise when God turns his back on you. Just Saying!
  
  Report this comment
stealthseesall
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 5:22pm
Doesn’t every western country ask bibi to form their nation’s government?? I know here in American we live under a new government formed by the nation of Israeli
The Chosen People!! Got to LOVE THEM!!

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- tzion
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:17pm
  So an Israel controlled US government is giving money to the the PA and is sending planes to the MB? Did I miss something? Or are you just full of it?
  
  Report this comment
- marssnw
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:22pm
  Stealthseesall is just full of it. Dont mind him, he just got done reading his heroes book (Mein Kampf).
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:58pm
  ignorant, you think hyperinflation is a problem in America its far worse over there and its only gotten worse under him.
  
  Report this comment
- waspanglosaxon
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:51pm
  If Johnny Carson were still around, he could do his ‘Carnac the Magnificent’ bit by giving the answer:
  “Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the USA”. Then the question: “Name 3 countries controlled entirely by Tel Aviv.”
  
  Report this comment
- Max jones
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:20pm
  TZION…How can you be critical of stealthseesall? He’s got 20-20 vision!!! nudge, nudge……
  
  Report this comment
- tzion
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:54am
  @wasp
  You have highlighted your own ignorance. Tel Aviv hasn’t served as Israel’s capital for 40 years and the PA almost never gets along with the Israeli government. Or did you miss how Israel opposed the PA underhanded appeal to the UN? How about the talks between Abbas and Hamas? And as for the USA, our government has rarely been less than highly critical of Israel and is currently highly supportive of its enemies.
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 4:41pm
” so many forces trying to splinter Israel ” sounds just like America. Witness the radical Obama Democrats and our Divide the ” Dumb ” Conservatives Trolls here .

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The-Monk
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 4:26pm
“Israeli President Asks Netanyahu to Form Next Government”

Good move !!!

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- Welcome Black Carter
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:26pm
  No more land for peace. It does not work.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 6:59pm
  bad move hyperinflation unaffordable rent and possibly sacrificing millions of his people in an unnecessary war.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:33pm
  AUSERNAME, Are you suggesting to continue to bend over backwards which essentially beckons more and more attacks by essentially all of the surrounding Muslim nations and factions?
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:44pm
  AUSERNAME, Again, elaborate a better plan please. Thwarting a constant enemy successfully would stop everything that you have mentioned.
  
  Report this comment
- Max jones
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 9:34pm
  AUSERNAME……Watch….hyperinflation is worldwide….the crunch is on……The only areas NOT affected now, soon, will be. No government is perfect in application or agenda, but there are a few that function more efficiently. They will all fail.
  The only government that can ever be forever, is built on the word of God, YHVH.
  I watch and compare and analyze and theorize, continually, and have come to the opinion that men have never been disciplined enough, to govern themselves.
  There are a few faithful, fortunate people who will enjoy the true justice of our Lord.
  
  Keep your eye on the prize….payday comes very soon.
  
  Report this comment
SIXFRIGATES
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 3:39pm
WTF?!? I thought the Prime Minister was the President.. *facepalm* I don’t get it.

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- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 4:18pm
  My thoughts exactly.
  
  Report this comment
- tzion
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 8:40pm
  Prime minister is head of government in Israel while the President is a figurehead position whose primary role us to select who will be allowed to form the next government. It’s the same as how many European countries are set up only that most have fewer parties. In short, Israel’s President is an elected equivalent to Britain’s queen only minus the wealth.
  
  Report this comment
- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 1:24pm
  Seriously try google sometime. You trolls don’t get paid by Chicago for your brains or comedian talents. TV really has turned humanity into cesspool of slugs.
  
  Report this comment

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